Air India, for example, flew over 7,000 pets last fiscal, marking a 33.7% on-year increase. It saw a 7% average month-on-month growth in pet bookings-both in cabin and cargo-over the past year, with 80% of bookings domestic and 20% international, the Tata Group airline said in a statement to ET.
Pets weighing up to 7 kg, including the carrier, are allowed in the cabin, while heavier pets are transported in the cargo hold.
Key sectors like Bengaluru-Delhi and Mumbai-Delhi made up nearly 20% of the total pet travel volume, Air India said.
Akasa Air, which began offering pet travel in late 2022, also reported high demand on these routes.Akasa, which has flown more than 6,200 pets, said the bookings rose 26% in FY25. The airline has raised the in-cabin pet weight limit to 10 kg.”This sustained growth highlights the increasing demand for safe, reliable, and pet-friendly air travel options across the country,” Praveen Iyer, cofounder at Akasa Air, told ET.
Indigo, India’s largest carrier, does not allow pets on flights, while SpiceJet allows pets only in cargo.
In the hospitality industry, India’s top travel portal MakeMyTrip has seen a 43% rise in bookings for pet-friendly accommodations in the first four months of 2025.
Airbnb, on its part, said it saw a 35% on-year increase in pet-night stays and a 30% on-year rise in pet-welcoming listings in 2024.
Booking.com noted that 11% of Indian travellers are now planning leisure trips with pets, up from just 4% in 2024.
Nearly one-third of its listed properties in India now cater to pets, showing a clear trend of accommodation providers adapting to this shift in demand, Booking.com said.
COSTLY AFFAIR
To be sure, taking pets along is a costly affair.
Airlines typically charge ₹3,000-10,000 per pet per sector, on top of veterinary certificates and specialised carriers, which are a deterrent.
In addition, airports in the country lack dedicated relief areas or trained handlers, so pets endure cramped cabins or noisy cargo holds, according to pet parents.
Most hotels and homestays that accept pets often charge cleaning or damage fees of ₹500-2,000 per night.
Many also impose size or breed-based restrictions, forcing owners to call ahead and pay extra for basic pet amenities, industry experts said.
Also, despite increasing demand, pet-friendly lodging in India is concentrated in major metros, they said, adding that options in smaller cities are scarce or non-existent.
